Answering A False Charge
A charge that has always plagued members of the Church of Christ is this: "You
believe you are the only ones going to heaven". I have heard this and I
am sure countless Christians have heard this charge. Before we answer the question,
I am going to show from the Bible what people must do to be saved, and then
let them decide the answer to the question. I hope that people will be honest
with this attempt to answer the charge without getting upset. And please, let
us turn to God's word and not appeal to human emotions to try and answer this
charge. The proper answer can be either yes or no depending on what one means
by the phrase Church of Christ".
First, there are many congregations of the "church of Christ" which
actually are denominational in character and practice. No one in a denomination
can be saved unless they turn their life into humble subjection to God's will.
Second there are faithful congregations of the Lord's people that do not have
a sign that reads "Church Of Christ. There are many designations found
in God's word to describe the people of God.
So already, we have proven the charge to be false, but let us examine this from
God's word.
The people of God are those who are in Christ. That is where all spiritual blessings
are (Ephesians 1:3). The only way to get INTO Christ is by obedience to the
gospel which requires faith, repentance, confession, and baptism. We must be
in the church of Christ which is His body (Ephesians 1:23). We are baptized
INTO the body (1 Corinthians 12:13), and Jesus is the Savior of the body (Ephesians
5:23). We are to be baptized INTO Christ (Galatians 3:27). We are baptized into
His death, burial, and resurrection symbolized in baptism (Romans 6:3-4).
Most of the people who make the charge against the members of the church do
not follow all of God's word. They might hold to some of it, but really make
no effort to apply all of it. They profess to be followers of Christ, yet their
deeds deny Him (Titus 1:16). And they call out Lord, Lord, but do not do what
He says (Luke 6:46). They cry Lord, Lord, but do not obey what God reveals in
the Bible (Matthew 7:21).
The only way to prove that you love Jesus and God is to do what They command
(John 14:15). The Bible teaches us in Hebrews 5:9 that Jesus is the author of
eternal salvation to all those who obey Him. Obviously, those outside of Christ
cannot be saved. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and no one comes
to the Father except through Him (John 14:6).
Answering the charge is simple. Anyone who obeys and does what God commands
can be saved. The commands are found in the Bible. We must study our Bible so
that we can do what God wants us to do. That way, we are approved of God (2
Timothy 2:15). Everything we need for salvation is recorded in the Bible (2
Peter 1:3). Nothing is left out, and therefore there is no need for any so-called
new or special revelations. Those who claim to receive new messages from God
are liars and they will not go to heaven (unless they change their ways). We
must remember that God does not change, and His requirements of men are the
same today as they were in the first century when the Holy men of God spoke
as they were guided by the Holy Ghost (2 Peter 1:21).
Those who teach any doctrine other than what we have in the word of God cannot
be saved. It is sad, but millions of souls have relied upon false doctrine thinking
they are saved. Satan loves this part. By thinking they are saved, they have
no need to study God's word and examine the Scriptures to find the truth. Many
people believe doctrines that are not in the Bible and cannot be supported by
the whole Bible. Sure they may find a passage here or there that might suggest
something to them that they want to know, but the Bible is more than sufficient
to prove false doctrine as such.
2 Corinthians 13:5 commands that we examine ourselves to see if we are in the
faith. That does not mean to see if we feel we are faithful. God has given us
many commands, and anyone who does not do His commands will be lost.
By Carey Scott